Chupa Plot Summary
Chupa is an exciting new Netflix Original film that centers around a young boy named Alex and his extraordinary friendship with a Chupacabra, a legendary creature believed to be mythical, that he discovers in his grandfather’s barn.
Alex affectionately names the creature Chupa, and a deep bond forms between them. Both Alex and Chupa have experienced separation from their families – Alex lost his father to cancer, while Chupa became separated from his own family while evading capture. This shared experience only strengthens their connection. However, as the movie nears its conclusion, Alex is faced with the heartbreaking reality of having to say goodbye to his sharp-toothed friend.
But is it truly the end of their journey together? Could there possibly be a chance for the boy and the beast to find a way to remain united? Let’s delve deeper into this captivating movie.
How does Chupa become separated from his family?
The film begins by introducing us to scientist Richard Quinn and his dedicated team as they explore a dark cave in San Javier, Mexico. Armed with evidence of the existence of Chupacabras in this region, they embark on a persistent quest to capture one of these legendary creatures for medical scientific research.
During their expedition, Quinn stumbles upon a Chupacabra cub that appears almost like a small puppy. It possesses sharp teeth, retractable claws, and even a set of wings. Due to its small size, the cub poses no threat to Quinn and his team. However, before they can successfully capture the creature, an adult Chupacabra intervenes and escapes with the young cub.
Though Quinn manages to injure the adult Chupacabra, causing it to flee on foot, he soon catches up with the creatures. Unfortunately, due to the distraction caused by the older beast, possibly the mother, Quinn and his men lose sight of the junior Chupacabra, allowing it to escape capture and remain separated from its family.
Why does Alex go to Mexico?
At the insistence of his mother, Alex reluctantly agrees to visit his grandfather and cousins in Mexico. Initially, he resents his Mexican heritage and hesitates to embark on this journey. However, since his late father had planned to take him there, Alex decides to honor his father’s memory and travels from Kansas to his grandfather’s home.
Alex’s grandfather, Chava, warmly welcomes the young teenager upon his arrival at the airport and escorts him back to the family farm. It is during his stay there that Alex meets his younger cousin Memo and his older cousin Luna, who become important characters in his adventure.
Throughout his time on the farm, Alex learns about his grandfather’s fascinating past as a renowned Lucha libre wrestler. He also discovers that his grandfather is now battling memory loss, adding a poignant layer to their relationship. Shortly after settling in, Luna spots a sick goat with fang marks on its body, an indication of a Chupacabra presence. Chava dismisses this as folklore, but Alex soon believes he sees a young Chupacabra cub hiding among the bushes.
How do Alex and Chupa bond?
After Alex’s initial sighting of the Chupacabra cub, their paths cross once again when Alex wakes up to find the furry creature on his bed. Startled, Alex inadvertently frightens the cub, causing it to escape through the window. However, their encounter continues as Alex discovers the cub hiding in his grandfather’s barn.
Chupa, as Alex affectionately names the creature, is drawn to the boy when he hears the familiar tune of a music box. Although initially apprehensive during a thunderstorm, Chupa becomes less fearful when Alex embraces and assures him of safety. Alex considers Chupa as a new family member, as both find solace in each other’s companionship and the love they both desperately need.
Soon, Memo and Luna stumble upon Chupa’s whereabouts and witness Alex’s unique friendship with the creature, leading to the formation of a bond between all of them. However, their newfound happiness is jeopardized when Quinn unexpectedly arrives at the farm.
How does Quinn find Chupa?
Earlier in the movie, an older Chupacabra is hit by a car driven by Alex’s grandfather, Chava. Chava later discovers Chupa while returning to the accident scene to tow his car back to the farm. Unfortunately, the license plate falls off during the collision, providing Quinn with a crucial clue for tracking down Chava and Chupa.
Chava had purposefully kept the existence of Chupacabras a secret from the children to protect the creature in his barn. However, this secrecy is shattered when Quinn arrives, determined to take Chupa away.
Does Quinn capture Chupa?
Quinn manages to sedate Chupa, intending to capture the drowsy creature. However, Chava, caught in a dementia episode and dressed in his old wrestling attire, intervenes by drop-kicking Quinn and making a daring escape with Chupa and the children in a car.
As they reach the site of the previous car accident, Chupa becomes excited and runs off, with Alex trailing closely behind. Standing at the edge of a cliff, Chupa howls, calling out to his family. In the distance, another howl responds, prompting Chupa to run across a nearby pipe to reach the family member beckoning to him.
While attempting to traverse the pipe, Alex is suddenly confronted by a cougar. Desperately trying to evade the threatening feline, Alex steps on the fragile pipe, causing it to break under his weight. Chava, Luna, and Memo arrive just in time to scare off the cougar, but they can’t save Alex from his precarious position.
In a miraculous turn of events, Chupa, hearing the desperate screams of his beloved friend, swiftly returns and catches Alex just before he tumbles to certain doom. Alex’s life is saved, but Quinn seizes the opportunity to recapture Chupa. However, before he can take the defenseless creature to an uncertain fate in a laboratory, a whole family of Chupacabras swoops down, causing Quinn’s car to halt.
As Quinn desperately pleads with the circling Chupacabras, Chava seizes the moment and skillfully uses his signature wrestling move to take down the wicked scientist, rescuing Chupa once again.
Is this a sad ending?
While Alex promises Chupa that he will always remain by his side, the circumstances dictate otherwise. Chupa needs to be reunited with his family, and Alex must return home to his mother, ultimately leading to their inevitable parting.
However, as the movie concludes, Alex catches a final glimpse of Chupa while aboard his flight back to Kansas. Looking out the window, he spots Chupa flying alongside the plane for a moment. In that fleeting instant, it almost seems as if Chupa is following Alex back home. But then, Chupa veers away and disappears, leaving us with the hope that he has found true happiness alongside his own kind.
Is it a sad ending for Alex?
Not really. As Chupa rejoins his family, we can assume that he goes on to lead a fulfilling and joyous life. Though the fate of Quinn remains uncertain, we can hold onto the hope that his defeat by Chava dissuaded him from ever trying to hunt down Chupa again.
Moreover, Alex experiences a sense of closure and transformation during his time in Mexico. Through the love and acceptance he receives from his newfound family, he begins to heal from the loss of his father and overcome his feelings of loneliness. In this way, Alex’s story concludes with hope and the promise of a happier future.
Read More: Chupa Movie Review
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